"She can't drive, a requirement for many jobs in her field, and she suspects potential employers considered her too old. "I'm a single person, and if you're not working, you cannot give yourself necessities," Harris said. Hear about Harris' business in her words: So Harris started her own business in August 2024, offering compassion visits, wellness checks, and medication and grocery pickups."
"Thousands of older Americans believe paving their own path - opening a business, working as a freelancer, or taking on independent contracting projects - is their best option for financial success and a sense of purpose. Among the nearly 550,000 Americans working at 80 and older, about 27% are self-employed, in line with the overall percentage of the US population, according to a Business Insider analysis of Census Bureau data."
Ina Harris, 82, started a caregiving business in August 2024 offering compassion visits, wellness checks, medication and grocery pickups. She hires a driver, works 20–30 hours weekly at $20 per hour, and faces roughly $2,000 monthly mortgage and expenses. Harris previously rotated through three-month direct-care roles but began struggling to find jobs because she cannot drive and suspects age discrimination. Thousands of older Americans pursue self-employment, freelancing, or contracting after layoffs, financial instability, or health challenges. About 550,000 Americans work at age 80 and older, with roughly 27% self-employed.
Read at Business Insider
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